As always the festival will be held at the town hall in Lancaster and this year will run between 5pm and midnight on each of the nights.  There will be top class entertainment as well as over 60 cask-conditioned ales and 30 continental lagers. Food will also be available during the course of each evening.

This year the Beerfest is creating a little bit of history too, with the inaugural Lancashire cup, which will take place on the Thursday night.  This will be an independent competition covering all the range and styles of beers from this county.  Other counties have benefitted from having a version of their own competition, but amazingly this is the first one ever for our fine county of Lancashire.

There will be 5 panels of up to eight independent judges including Roger Protz Editor of the Good Beer Guide, Tony Alstead who is Deputy Editor of the Morning Advertiser as well as celebrated beer writers Jeff Pickthall and Mellissa Cole, so far.  The Beerfest is hoping to then complement these judges with guests from local sponsors, publicans, and foreign brewers – possibly even from Yorkshire too!

Entry into the event is £5 and as usual includes a commemorative glass and programme of the event.  As always, all proceeds from the event go towards supporting the Lancaster Round Table’s chosen charities and worthy causes over the following year.

Most of the members of Lancaster Round Table agree the Beerfest is tremendous fun for them to organise and stage, however they do take their fundraising responsibilities very seriously and are proud to support many local worthwhile causes and charities with the proceeds of the event.

For more information on how you can sponsor or support the beer festival please visit the official website at www.lancasterbeerfest.org, or if you are male between the ages of 21 and 45 and are interested in becoming a member of Lancaster Round Table, their website address is www.rt160.org.uk.

So, if you see yourself as a real ale aficionado, or simply want to join in the fun and be part of what is one of Lancaster’s most notable annual dates in the calendar then head along to Lancaster town hall on the 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th of March and do your bit for local charity, as well as having a great time of course.

We will be using this blog to update you on news surrounding the Beerfest and for information about our generous sponsors, as well as the Brewers with beers on show at the festival.

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